Plant Focus
Plant Focus During our plant focus this week, we will be concentrating on some lovely colourful plants which would no doubt look great in your garden. We hope that these facts and figures will help you and maybe even encourage you to grow them in your own garden! Petunia ‘Phantom’ A breakthrough in breeding has … Continue reading “Plant Focus”
Mulching – the Pros and Cons
In gardening terms, mulching is usually when you use a layer of organic material on your soil and borders in order to improve the growth of your plants by adding nutrients to the soil. It is also a technique used to control the amount of weed growth. As most weeds need light to germinate, any layer thick … Continue reading “Mulching – the Pros and Cons”
How to Feed Blackcurrants, Pears and Plum Trees
Feeding Blackcurrants, Pears and Plums To feed blackcurrants, plums and pears well, a good base to use is nitrogen. Add the nitrogen when applying a general compound fertiliser or rotted manure mulch. Do this now in the spring months to motivate fruits into a good growth. If this spring is dry like last year it … Continue reading “How to Feed Blackcurrants, Pears and Plum Trees”
Lavender Pests
Lavender Pests The little green inhabitants who festoon the likes of lavender and rosemary are nymphs from the sap-sucking common froghopper. The female hopers lay their eggs on the green leaves in autumn which then overwinter and hatch in early May. They then cover themselves in foam-like substance to protect themselves against predators. A way … Continue reading “Lavender Pests”
Winter Lawn Problems
Winter Lawn Problems Has your lawn become weak and bald due to a harsh winter? This is sometimes an issue due to compacted poor draining clay soil. Also, we forget often that good healthy grass dies back and becomes thin, especially in areas which catch the shade. However, during the following weeks, there are usually … Continue reading “Winter Lawn Problems”
Garden Jobs to do for February
Six Important Seasonal Garden Jobs Here are a list of our top six seasonal garden hobs to get sorted this year! Sprout early potatoes by laying them out in a cool, light, frost-free place. To promote the growth of strong, young flowering stems, Prune roses. Cut down ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials that were left … Continue reading “Garden Jobs to do for February”
Blind Daffodils
Blind Daffodils Newly planted daffodils usually grow and flower well initially, but subsequent flowering may be reduced or fail despite healthy, numerous leaves. Daffodils’ with foliage but no flowers are therefore known as ‘blind’. Causes of Blind Daffodils Dry situations: Water bulbs thoroughly after flowering until the foliage begins to turn pale. Apply a mulch … Continue reading “Blind Daffodils”
Viburnum Beetle Update
Viburnum Beetle Update The viburnum beetle feeds on the foliage of some viburnum species; the larva causes extensive defoliation in spring. The beetle’s eggs are laid in young stems and hatch in April and early May. The creamy black larvae eat holes in the new foliage and by June the foliage can be severely damaged. … Continue reading “Viburnum Beetle Update”
French Beans
French Beans French beans are easier to grow compared to native beans and are one of the freshest tastes of summer. They are also pest and disease free so are able to bumper yields in limited spaces. Cultivar choice Make good use of vertical space by choosing climbing selections or if space is limited, pick … Continue reading “French Beans”
CRB Checked Gardeners
CRB Checked Gardeners Most gardens, whether they are private or commercial are in need of attention around this time. You may be an organisation that is looking for a gardener, to help tidy your grounds up. However in today’s society, many are worried about whom they are employing, wondering what their background is like, especially … Continue reading “CRB Checked Gardeners”